Syringes

If you find a syringe or needle in a public place, do not touch it. Used syringes can cause serious injury or infection if handled incorrectly.

You should report it to us straight away so it can be removed safely.

Report a found syringe:

• 0303 123 1020 during office hours
• 0800 242 024 outside office hours

What to do if you find a syringe

If you come across a syringe:

• do not pick it up or move it
• keep children and pets away
• report it as soon as possible using the numbers above

We will arrange for trained staff to collect and dispose of it safely.

Disposing of syringes at home

If you use needles or syringes as part of medical treatment, you must dispose of them safely.

You will need a sharps bin if you:

• inject medication
• use needles for blood testing

Sharps bins and needle‑clipping devices are available on prescription from your GP.

You must put the following into a sharps bin:

• needles
• syringes
• lancets
• full needle‑clipping devices

What can go in your normal waste bin

If you have diabetes, you can put the following items in your non‑recyclable waste bin once the needle has been removed using a needle‑clipping device:

• insulin pens and cartridges
• vials
• used test strips

Returning sharps bins

Your healthcare provider will tell you how to return full sharps bins for safe disposal. If a healthcare professional treats you at home, they are responsible for removing the sharps waste and returning it to NHS Lanarkshire for disposal.

You should not take sharps bins back to GP practices or pharmacies unless you have been specifically instructed to do so.

Find out more

For more health advice about sharps and safe disposal, visit NHS inform or phone 0800 22 44 88.